2006 – British R&B singer Lynden David Hall dies a…

2006 – British R&B singer Lynden David Hall dies after a two-year fight with cancer. He is 31.

Lynden David Hall (7 May 1974 – 14 February 2006) was a singer, songwriter, arranger, and producer. Born in Wandsworth, South London, he won the ‘best newcomer’ accolade at the 1998 MOBO (Music of Black Origin) Awards.

In 1999, he was the first U.K. performer ever voted “Best Male Artist” by the readers of Britain’s Blues & Soul magazine. His debut album, Medicine For My Pain, as well as the singles Do I Qualify and Sexy Cinderella, had an instant appeal to soul fans in the UK and elsewhere, but it was not until his work got the remix treatment that he got his major breakthrough.

Hall appeared in the hit film Love Actually in 2003, where he sang at the wedding of the characters played by Keira Knightley and Chiwetel Ejiofor. Two years later, he released his third studio album In Between Jobs on the independent label Random Records.

In October 2003, Hall was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma; he died on 14 February 2006, at the age of 31, from complications resulting from the stem cell transplant he received in January 2005. Lynden was in remission at the time of his death. Lynden is survived by his wife Nikkie Hall and his sister Natalie Hall who is currently reading Sociology at Goldsmiths, University of London.

Shortly before his death, whilst in hospital in November 2005, Lynden and Nikkie achieved their wish to help others suffering by putting on the hugely successful Lynden’s Wish concert at London’s Jazz Cafe. For the first time ever, selected black British music artists came together in Lynden’s honour to raise money for two charities close to Lynden’s heart:The African Caribbean Leukaemia Trust

On 23 May 2006, a Lynden’s Wish memorial celebration was held in his honour at The Kensington Roof Gardens. Two white doves were released as a symbol of peace, accompanied by the London Community Gospel Choir who sang “All You Need is Love” as performed by Hall in the film Love Actually. Many of the artists who performed at last years concerts also performed tributes including Omar, Roachford and Don-E. All proceeds were donated to The African Caribbean Leulaemia Trust.

It was reported that Hall’s wife was working with his manager on the release of a live album tentatively scheduled for 2007.